Dear Juno or any other teenager in the same situation,
I have no right to criticize your decision to give away your baby. I cannot fathom the stress of carrying and giving birth to a baby at the age of 16 nor can I imagine the regret and guilt that might’ve came if you had decided to have an abortion.In my opinion,I believe that you made the right decision in giving your baby to a responsible adult who will be able to give it a better life and allow you to continue yours.
The way that your parents had dealt with the situation was very supportive and you should feel lucky for having them.I know that my parents are also very supportive and have told me on various occasions that if I ever got a girl pregnant that they would help raise it so that I would be able to graduate and not have to drop out to find a job and a way to support my unexpected family.I understand that this not the case for some teenage parents in fact in 2011,1.3 million high school students dropped out 30%(390,000)of which claimed they dropped out to support and raise an unexpected child.Meaning that they had no means of receiving help from parents or were able to afford childcare and due to their situation needed to be there for their child or work to put food on the table.
Once a child is born the parent’s life or career is put on hold.Statistics from a 2011 study conducted by the Progressive Policy Institute states that less than 2% of teenage mothers go on to complete a college degree by the age of 30. The argument that having a child is an irresponsible deed might be true but to think that a mother or father like yourself would willingly give up all of his/her aspirations or career goals to take care of their child is a very mature decision. However I can see why a mother would decide to give their baby up for adoption if they are not financially or mentally capable.Personally I believe that a child must have a stable environment to become the best that he/she can be so personally,I believe that giving up a child for adoption is the best choice for a teenage couple to make if they are not ready.
I have no right to criticize your decision to give away your baby. I cannot fathom the stress of carrying and giving birth to a baby at the age of 16 nor can I imagine the regret and guilt that might’ve came if you had decided to have an abortion.In my opinion,I believe that you made the right decision in giving your baby to a responsible adult who will be able to give it a better life and allow you to continue yours.
The way that your parents had dealt with the situation was very supportive and you should feel lucky for having them.I know that my parents are also very supportive and have told me on various occasions that if I ever got a girl pregnant that they would help raise it so that I would be able to graduate and not have to drop out to find a job and a way to support my unexpected family.I understand that this not the case for some teenage parents in fact in 2011,1.3 million high school students dropped out 30%(390,000)of which claimed they dropped out to support and raise an unexpected child.Meaning that they had no means of receiving help from parents or were able to afford childcare and due to their situation needed to be there for their child or work to put food on the table.
Once a child is born the parent’s life or career is put on hold.Statistics from a 2011 study conducted by the Progressive Policy Institute states that less than 2% of teenage mothers go on to complete a college degree by the age of 30. The argument that having a child is an irresponsible deed might be true but to think that a mother or father like yourself would willingly give up all of his/her aspirations or career goals to take care of their child is a very mature decision. However I can see why a mother would decide to give their baby up for adoption if they are not financially or mentally capable.Personally I believe that a child must have a stable environment to become the best that he/she can be so personally,I believe that giving up a child for adoption is the best choice for a teenage couple to make if they are not ready.